Possible Alternatives from NYC area to India?

jwitt

I am planning a trip to India which will begin in early Jan. It will last 5 - 6 months and I am trying to keep the exepnses down to a minimum. Looking around for a good air fare is beginning to spin my head in circles with all of the possibilities. Since I do not have much time restriction I am wide open as to stops on the way, flight times, etc. NYC would be the easiest point of departure but anything between or around Boston to Philadelphia could work. At the moment the best option seems to be:

JFK > LAX on Jet Blue +/- $300 R/T
LAX > BKK +/- $750
BKK > Kolcutta +/- $250 (not sure about this fair)
trains once I'm inside India

Flying Eastward and stopping somewhere in Europe could be great as well but I am hoping to fit Thailand in there somewhere. Once in India I'm planning on beginning in Mysore and working my way up to Rishikesh. This will be a kind of Yoga educational experience.

My questions are:

Which cities should I look into in Europe as cheap gateways

How far in advance should I try to buy my ticket? I know that if I buy too far in advance I might pay too much but if I wait too long all the discount fares will be gone.

Are there times during the period from Jan. until July that I should avoid flying due to holidays, peak season, etc.?

Thanks in advance. This is my first post here and this forum is FANTASTIC!

itgirl

Hi. First of all, don't fret too much about fares. All you have to know is how to recognise a good deal when you see it, and then waste no time snatching it up. I am always looking for cheap fares and my rule of them is 1400 US + is not a good deal. Keep looking. 1200 including taxes is the average, so keep looking. If you can get it for 1100 or less, it is a steal !

At the moment, your trip will cost you 1300, presumably before taxes. Finding a cheap flight in Bangkok will also be an inconvenience as you will probably have to go to bucket shops which takes hours. For the money you'll end up spending, can afford a direct flight on a major airline!

I paid $810 on continental for a direct Newark - Delhi flight last month because I went off season on their promotional sale. I wasn't even supposed to go back to India until August!

I don't believe there is an expensive gateway in Europe. If you find a seat sale to London in January, which is possible, you will get to India for 400 quid incl. taxes on British Airways which is REALLY nice.